Welcome to the 2020 season and the 2019 season isn’t even over yet. But that’s how we roll! I find myself starting earlier and earlier each season and it definitely gives me an advantage. This is a quick evaluation of three incoming rookie running backs that I feel aren’t being talked about enough. Because of the extremely deep nature of the 2020 RB & WR class, there will be some gems that can fall to you on Draft Day. Since it is important for every prospect, and to avoid repetition, I will just say this once: future rankings will be heavily dependent on landing spot, usage, and path to production/targets.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire – LSU
CEH is more so on the map now than he was before his beast-mode type performance versus Alabama, but I still don’t see him being mentioned with the top backs in this 2020 class. This could provide a great mid to late 1st round selection in upcoming dynasty rookie drafts. Edwards-Helaire took over for Derrius Guice during his sophomore year and even he admitted that he had a lot of improvements to work on. Fast forward to his Junior year and he improved in almost every facet of his game going 1,290 rushing yards on 197 carries with 16 touchdowns and adding 50 catches for 399 receiving yards and another score through the air. I always look for passing work at the college level as that is so important for fantasy production in the pros and CEH has soft hands, catches the ball away from his body, and has great ball tracking skills for a running back. He is exciting to watch and seems to be a back that can take over a game and put it on his shoulders with his vision, quick burst, and one of the quickest spin moves I have seen in quite some time. The move happens so fast it is almost quicker than the human eye can process. Many have viewed him as a 3rd down change of pace back with comparisons to Duke Johnson but per CBSsports.com, there are at least two NFL scouts that view him as a three-down back. I think he can be too and he is one of the first players in this draft to really give me that “feeling”. Other backs in recent years to give me that particular feeling: Devin Singletary, Josh Jacobs, Kareem Hunt, and Alvin Kamara.
Player Comp: Jonathan Stewart with some MJD sprinkled on top
Eno Benjamin – Arizona State
Benjamin is a very interesting prospect that projects to be a late 2nd/early 3rd round selection, a 12-15 touch committee guy, and a player that can be trusted near the end zone. RBBCs are a way of life now, but give me the guy most prone to get the TD looks. Eno had two very productive seasons in his sophomore and junior years at Arizona State amassing 2,725 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 553 carries and adding 610 receiving yards and 4 scores on 77 catches. There is that passing work again. Unlike Edwards-Helaire who has the ability and skill set to run routes, Benjamins’ catches come almost exclusively from check down passes but he is where he is supposed to be on these plays and catches the ball away from his body and turns upfield. Watching his tape is a tad hard to explain: it’s like watching a choreographed circus where things seem to be all over the place but it is all part of the plan. This “reckless abandon” can be seen in his ability to make a defender choose a direction and quickly change directions. He has a unique and quick footwork in small spaces and excellent contact balance. He is also finishing every run falling forward to get those extra yards. He rarely gets caught in the backfield dancing around for negative yards, if he doesn’t have anything he will fall forward to get what he can. Eno will be a player you will likely be able to stash on your bench or taxi squad and see how he develops.
Player Comp: Poor Man’s Charlie Garner
Zack Moss – Utah
Don’t sleep on Zach Moss’ prospects to produce at the next level. Moss amassed 1,359 rushing yards on 219 carries with 15 TDs and added 374 receiving yards on 26 catches with a TD in 2019 becoming arguably the best RB to ever come out of Utah. Moss is fun to watch as his vision, burst, work in tight spaces, and ability to pick the best path really seem to have what it takes to make it in the pros. Don’t expect a lightning fast 40 this spring in Indy at the combine, but if you followed me on twitter and my website pauliessleepers.com last year, you know by my early love for Devin Singletary that I don’t believe a 4.4 40 to be the be-all and end all for RB evaluation. I’m impressed by his burst, contact balance, and most of all, his power. This kid has a solid low center of gravity and uses his power to knock defenders off their feet, push through tight holes, and finish runs. I’ll be interested to see where this kid goes in the NFL draft. Pedigree: cousin of former NFL Pro WR Santana Moss. Projected pick in rookie drafts: late 3rd round.
Player Comp: Mark Ingram
